France and America back on the agenda for Hewick

Another crack at the French Champion Hurdle could be on the cards for Hewick after his brave effort in the Randox Grand National.

John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s popular €850 buy finished second in the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil last May, with his handler eyeing going one place better in France and another trip to America once the pint-sized 10-year-old has fully recovered from his Aintree exertions.

“I have to talk to the owner, but we were second in the French Champion Hurdle last year and I would say we might head back for that,” said Hanlon.

“I would be very happy to do that and he has no problem travelling. I wouldn’t mind going back to America with him as well, there’s a lot of money available out there and I would like another go at that race (American Grand National, which he won in 2022) as well.”

Sent off at 14-1 for National glory, Hewick cut a fine sight tackling the famous spruce in the hands of Gavin Sheehan and came home a respectable eighth behind Willie Mullins’ Nick Rockett after seeing his petrol tank run empty late in the day.

He has since returned home to Hanlon’s County Carlow base, with the stable star getting a clean bill of health.

Hanlon continued: “It was a great run and for a little horse it was super. He’s picked up a lot of prize-money again and he gave his heart and that’s what he does every time he runs. He did us proud.

“He’s 100 per cent, he got home no problem at all and there’s not a bother on him. He was tired after the race, but we gave him a couple of hours there at Aintree before loading him on the van and getting him home.

“There’s not a bother on him and he’s had his ears pricked and he’s gone out in the field for a good feel of grass for a couple of weeks.”